Rimmer appeared in three James Bond movies; Diamonds Are Forever, You Only Live Twice and The Spy Who Loved Me. He was also briefly in the original Star Wars film A New Hope, as well as Superman II. But it’s for his voice work as Scott Tracy in Gerry Anderson’s iconic Thunderbirds for which he is perhaps best-remembered. He played the Thunderbird 1 pilot in the original 1964-1966 series, and even drafted the story for the penultimate episode, Ricochet.
According to the official Gerry Anderson website, he has passed away at the age of 89.
His death was marked on Twitter by Bond expert Mark O’Connell and producer Jonathan Sothcott.
Sothcott wrote: “RIP that fine character actor SHANE RIMMER – a great face (and voice) in some of the best loved family films of the 70s: THE SPY WHO LOVED ME, WARLORDS OF ATLANTIS, STAR WARS. Thunderbirds. Amazing career. #ShaneRimmer.”
O’Connell wrote: “Four Bond bullets, three SUPERMAN movies, one STAR WARS, a ROLLERBALL, a DR STRANGELOVE and Scott Tracy…
“RIP to the godfather of “I know that guy” casting – Mr Shane Rimmer.”
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